What did you think of my noir superheroine Keruv?

#Keruv #MJMunoz #FOTRESSFICTION #ShortStory #Noir #Superhero

SOURCE - https://mjmunoz.com/2024/09/18/mjmss1/

Chapter 10 of The Book of Three is packed so densely with lore, lineage, and quiet setup that I had to listen to it three times—and I still found more to unpack.

BONUS CONTENT - https://mjmunoz.com/2026/02/06/the-book-of-three-chapter-by-chapter-10/

In just one chapter, Lloyd Alexander weaves:

-The legend of Dyrnwyn

-The role of bards in Prydain

-Fflewddur’s hidden past and truth-binding harp

-Eilonwy’s lineage and moral tension

-Seeds that clearly point toward Taran’s future, without spelling anything out

What impresses me most is how effortlessly this information is folded into the story. No lectures. No lore dumps. Just meaningful details that deepen the world and quietly prepare the reader for what’s coming.

This is why Prydain works. It trusts the reader, respects the story, and plants ideas that bloom later.

Let me know your thoughts on Chapter 10 so far AND whether you caught some of these threads on your first read.

The Nixie’s Song by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi is the first book in the sequel series to The Spiderwick Chronicles. It brings back the magic, mystery, and fae creatures—but does it go too far with its tone?

In this episode of Fortress Fiction, I explore what worked, what didn’t, and why one jarring insult nearly pulled the whole story apart for me. I also talk about how the book handles character growth and whether it's a good fit for young readers.

SHOW NOTES - https://mjmunoz.com/2025/08/07/ff18/

What I cover:

– Nick’s arc and the story’s potential

– The infamous “Lard Mass” moment

– What makes a book belong in Fortress Fiction

– How this compares to Mockwing Mayhem, my own creature-led fantasy

Mockwing Mayhem is available now -

Stick around at the end for a special trailer—and don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe.

#SpiderwickChronicles #BookReview #MiddleGradeFantasy #FortressFiction #MockwingMayhem